Halloween in Disney!

Last Friday, Anthony came home from work and we decided to take AJ to Disney for the night. Every year Disney hosts a "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" and we have been three times before. It's really cool, it is from 7pm until 12 am, there is a parade with all of the characters dressed up for Halloween, most of the rides are open, the characters stand around the park and the kids can go to them for trick or treat candy. It's really just such a cute thing that we all love to go to.


Anthony and AJ were able to go on many of the "fun, Mom will get sick on this" rides and had a blast together. There were only two or three rides that I couldn't go on, which was great! I felt included in almost everthing, but was able to rest during the few rides that were not recommended for preggos. Because I had to sit in a wheelchair, we had rockstar treatment and were able to jump past the line on almost all of the rides and had special "disabled parking", which was less than a 5 minute walk to the main entrance.

You know, there is something about being in Disney World that makes me feel, I don't know, joyful I guess. Just as soon as we drive through the Mickey gates ~ I get all giddy, like a kid. I was a little worried about AJ being too old for this now, but you know I think this is one of the best times we have had there. He is at such a great age and has a wonderful attitude and outlook on everything. Anthony and I love hanging out with him.
Here is rhe sign when we first walked in the Magic Kingdom! Below is a picture of AJ hanging with Mickey and Walt Disney. He has decided to dress up like Joe Jonas (from his favorite band) for Halloween this year. There aren't any Jonas Brothers costumes, so we had to be creative, He looked just like Joe from one of his videos, sadly the Disney cast member who was working on the teacups ride thought he was Indiana Jones. Oh Boy ~ did that make AJ furious! He really did look cte (if you know who the Jonas Brothers are)!

Here I am riding in style! It was about 11:30 and you can clearly see the AJ was starting to get tuckered out. I was "dressed up" as an angel. You know, white maternity dress, a little glitter and a halo -viola! an angel! Anthony pushed my wheelchair all night and spent the majority of the night putting random objuects through my halo and checking to see if my horns were holding the halo up! Can you imagine! :)

We are celebrating Halloween a little early, but there is still decorating to do, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown to be watched, and if this baby permits, neighborhood trick-or=treating! So, even though it's a little early...

All about the 4th grade AJ!

This blog is written by AJ Cali (typed by his Mom).

Above, please see a picture of my new favorite band, The Jonas Brothers. I am going to be the one in the middle (Joe) for Halloween. There is a lot that has changed about me.

I am now in the fourth grade. I am keeping a good attitude and good grades so hopefully next year (5th grade) I am invited to be patrol.

I am a red belt in Tae Kwon Do.



My favorite animal is a monkey. I think Monkeys are cool because they can swing and flip, just like I can.


My new favorite movie is from Disney. Camp Rock! Starring the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato.




I started wearing plaid shorts. (Even though I made my Mom return a really cool pair last year because I didn't think they were cool then...I now realize the fashion guru my Mom is **by Mom)



My two new favorite songs are Burnin' Up and Play My Music, both by the Jonas Brothers. (Jo Bros)



This year the most exciting thing that will happen is - - I'm going to be a big brother!

Our whole family....

In no particular order! This is our guard dog, Reeses. We call her Pieces. Anthony bought her for my for my birthday last May. She is the sweetest, happiest puppy and such a lovely addition to the family.

Maybe she could be the new spokesmodel?

All of these big tummies and only one has a baby in it! :)


A little tribute to AJ's favorite band, The Jonas Brothers. In my opinion, their hair is too big and their pants are too tight, but they are rocking the promise ring and I have to respect them for that.
This is my boy doing an amazing flying side kick. It takes amazing strength and coordination to run from across the room, stick your leg out to the side, and use enough force to break the board, but not enough to kick the Master. A tricky little stunt and AJ is beyond amazing! We are so proud of him!
My handsome boys! Anthony and AJ Christmas '07. If you look at the snowman next to Ant, you will see that AJ put on the Alvin mask (from Alvin and The Chipmunks). So cute!
Awww. My Snicker Doodle. She little and kind of a pain in the neck most of the time, but she's family and we love her.
Here is Snickers last Christmas. The Santa Hat lasted about as long as it took to take the picture!

There is still a crazy overgrown turtle (Jazz Domingo), our only house plant that has survived 8 years, (Hank) and our new "family ride", which does not have a name et, I currently refer to him as "Not bonita". I will try to get pictures of these up, per my favorite cousin's request!

Pictures of Bella's Room

My Dad and Sharon were so sweet to purchase this beautiful crib for Isabella. With all of the additions from the shower (mattress, sheets, lullaby singing elephant and catterpillar and a tiddelywink) and the items we have collected over the last few months (the softest bumper pad in the entire world *LOVE Carters!* and a crib skirt) the crib came together beautifully.

The theme of her nursery is pastel butterflies and flowers. I was having a difficult time finding what I wanted in the stores, so I decided to just kind of put things together from whatever I could find. AJ and I made the letters of her name (because to order them would have cost us almost $100.00) for under $15.00. We added rhinestones and 3 butterflies and hung them from pink ribbon. They are hanging above her crib. It's kind of difficult to tell from the picture, but the little sign below her name is from Cinderella and says "Dreams do come true". The words in her crib say "Now I lay me", then on the other side "down to sleep". Hopefully this will lull her to sleep for more than a 2 hour period!

I found large butterflies on clearance in Michaels for $1.00 a piece and hung them from the ceiling using fising line and rhinestones. The room looks like butterflies are floating all around the room! I decorated the furniture we used when AJ was little by taking off all of the Winnie the Pooh items and putting on flowers and butterflies. My Grandmom used to send me Precious Moments figurines, so Anthony hung two shelves in the room so we could have a little bit of Grandmom in the room.

The Baby Shower!

My best friends Lisa, Catherine and Paula were so sweet to throw a baby shower for our little bundle of joy! Lisa hosted the shower at her house, Paula brought all of the fun games we played and Catherine designed the (oh-so - yummy) cake! It was a wonderful afternoon spent with family, friends and friends that are like family. My cousin, Cecelia was so sweet to fly in from Maryland just to guess the size of my belly and try to guess what kind of baby food she was testing!



With there being such a large age gap between our children (9.5 years) we didn't have any baby things from when AJ was little. So we were starting from scratch with Bella! However, thanks to the generosity of our friends and family... we are ready! We were lucky enough to receive her crib, mattress, monitor, tub and more clothes then I could have ever imagined! I have to tell you, I think she just may be the best dressed baby in town! I can't wait to see our sweet little girl in these adorable outfits!

We feel so blessed to have so many people who care about us and the well-being of our family.